Video of A New Approach to Evaluate Forest Structure Restoration Needs Across Oregon &amp; Washington

TNC has recently completed with the USFS R6 Ecology Program assessing forest restoration needs across eastern WA, eastern OR and southwest OR. TNC Forest Conservation Director Mark Stern will give a brief introduction from his perspective as a TNC program director and participant in several forest collaboratives. TNC’s Chris Zanger, forest analyst, and Ryan Haugo, senior forest ecologist, will handle the bulk of the presentation. The study, A New Approach to Evaluate Forest Structure Restoration Needs Across Oregon and Washington, appears in the January 2015 issue of Forest Ecology and Management.

Kori Blankenship, Fire Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, brings it all together by looking at methodology involved in “Modifying LANDFIRE Data for Local Conditions,” so as to adapt LANDFIRE data for specific needs in the Northwest.

Randy Swaty, Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, offers an intro “What is this thing called LANDFIRE?” with maps and examples specifically targeted to the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. He will describes what LANDFIRE is, where to get the products, how you can use them, when and how often the data is updated and who to contact to learn more – all in 45 minutes or less! Though examples and maps refer to PNW locations, information applies to all landscapes across the U.S.

Researchers describe ongoing research in Oregon and California on public perceptions of wildland and prescribed fire smoke. They focus on identifying factors that influence perceptions of smoke, and how communication in various forms may influence those perceptions.

Discusses findings from a recent Ecosystem Workforce Program study that examined how large fires affect local economies and jobs. Cassandra Moseley discusses how suppression spending can help mediate negative impacts of wildfires and explores factors that influence whether local businesses capture suppression spending.